Testosterone-Like Immunoreactivity in Hair Measured in Minute Sample Amounts: A Competitive Radioimmunoassay with an Adequate Limit of Detection

The conversation is about someone planning to start finasteride or RU58841 for hair loss and wanting to know which hormones to test beforehand. They found a package for testing testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, and DHT, and are asking if these tests are enough.

Finasteride treatment is being considered, and it's advised to track DHT, testosterone, estradiol, and SHBG levels to monitor hormonal changes. These tests will help understand the treatment's impact.

The user received hormone test results showing normal estradiol and testosterone levels, low SHBG, and normal free androgen index. They are considering starting finasteride but are concerned due to being slightly overweight.

A 22-year-old male has been using finasteride for 4 months without major side effects but is concerned about hormone test results showing low SHBG and high estrogen. He plans to consult a doctor and is considering alternatives like minoxidil or topical finasteride to avoid health issues.

A 29-year-old male on 1 mg Finasteride for 3 months has experienced a significant increase in testosterone and estradiol levels, with no major side effects except slightly oilier skin and increased emotional sensitivity. The user is concerned about these hormonal changes and seeks advice, as their general practitioner is not knowledgeable about the issue.

A user on Finasteride for 7-8 years reported unexpectedly high testosterone levels despite expecting lower levels due to age, with discussions on the impact of SHBG and suggestions to use boron to lower SHBG. Another user noted that Dutasteride significantly increased their testosterone and free testosterone levels.